APPOINTMENT

Nidhi Chhibber Gets Additional Charge as NITI Aayog CEO

• Nidhi Chhibber has been given the additional charge of Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog.

• She assumed the role after the completion of the tenure of B. V. R. Subrahmanyam on 24 February.

• Chhibber currently serves as Director General of the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO).

• She has played a key role in monitoring and evaluating major flagship government schemes.

• She is a 1994-batch IAS officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre.

• Earlier, she served as Chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education.

• She holds a Master’s degree in History and an LL.B. degree.

• NITI Aayog was established in 2015 to replace the Planning Commission and promote cooperative federalism.

NATIONAL NEWS

Indian Mountaineers Scale South America’s Highest Peak

• A six-member Indian expedition successfully summited Mount Aconcagua in Argentina.

• The climbers were trained at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering.

• The team also represented the Jawaharlal Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports.

• The expedition had been flagged off earlier in the month.

• The Ministry of Defence highlighted this feat as a reflection of India’s rising presence in global mountaineering.

• The achievement showcased the advanced training standards of India’s premier climbing institutes.

• Mount Aconcagua is the tallest mountain in South America.

• It is also the highest peak in the world outside Asia.

National Counter-Terrorism Strategy ‘PRAHAR’ Unveiled

• The Ministry of Home Affairs introduced the national counter-terrorism strategy PRAHAR to address evolving terror threats.

• PRAHAR stands for Prevention of terror attacks to protect Indian citizens and interests, Responses.

• The strategy adopts a proactive framework focused on prevention and effective counter-terrorism action.

• It is built on key pillars — prevention, swift response and aggregation of national internal capacities.

• The policy emphasises adherence to human rights and rule-of-law-based processes while combating terrorism.

• It seeks to address root causes such as radicalisation and terror support networks.

• The strategy reinforces India’s zero-tolerance approach by aiming to deny terrorists access to funding, weapons and safe havens.

• It also promotes international cooperation, technology-driven solutions and private sector partnerships while rejecting any association of terrorism with religion or nationality.

DEFENCE

India–US Joint Special Forces Exercise Vajra Prahar 2026 Begins

• The 16th edition of Exercise Vajra Prahar has commenced in Himachal Pradesh.

• It is a joint Special Forces training exercise between India and the United States.

• The drill is being conducted at the Special Forces Training School in Bakloh.

• The exercise will continue until 16 March 2026.

• The Indian Army has deployed 45 Special Forces personnel.

• The US contingent includes 12 troops from the U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets).

• The exercise focuses on improving interoperability in joint special operations.

• It also facilitates exchange of advanced tactical skills and strengthens defence cooperation between both nations.

India–Japan Joint Exercise Dharma Guardian 2026 Begins in Uttarakhand

• The 7th edition of Exercise Dharma Guardian started on 24 February 2026 at Chaubattia in Uttarakhand.

• It is a bilateral military drill between the Indian Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.

• The exercise will continue till 9 March 2026 with participation of 120 personnel from each country.

• The Japanese contingent is from the 32nd Infantry Regiment, while India is represented by the Ladakh Scouts.

• Conducted alternately in both nations, the exercise plays a key role in strengthening defence ties.

• Its main aim is to enhance joint operational capabilities in semi-urban warfare scenarios.

• Troops will engage in joint planning, fitness drills and coordinated tactical operations using modern technology.

• Training activities include setting up a Temporary Operating Base, ISR grid development, heliborne missions, search operations and intervention drills.

ECONOMY NEWS

SBI Report Estimates Strong Q3 Growth for Indian Economy

• A research report by State Bank of India estimates India’s economy grew by about 8.1% in Q3 FY26.

• The estimate covers the quarter ending 31 December 2025.

• The projection is based on multiple high-frequency economic indicators.

• The report indicates sustained growth momentum despite global uncertainties.

• Rural consumption remained robust, backed by both farm and non-farm sector performance.

• Urban consumption also improved, driven by post-festive demand.

• Government fiscal stimulus played a role in supporting spending trends.

• The assessment comes ahead of the GDP base year shift from 2011–12 to 2022–23, with a new data series scheduled for release on 27 February 2026.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCES

Him-CONNECT Showcased Alongside WSDS 2026

• The initiative Him-CONNECT is being organised in New Delhi alongside the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) 2026.

• It is hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in collaboration with The Energy and Resources Institute.

• The event is being held from 25–27 February 2026.

• The platform connects Himalayan researchers with start-ups, investors and policymakers.

• It aims to scale research outcomes in the Indian Himalayan Region for real-world application.

• Over 24 technologies and pilot projects supported by the National Mission on Himalayan Studies are being showcased.

• More than 100 stakeholders, including incubators and investors, are participating.

• Key innovations include eco-friendly roads, wastewater reuse systems and low-cost mineralised water solutions.

Tourism Leadership Summit 2026 Inaugurated in New Delhi

• The Tourism Leadership Summit 2026 was inaugurated by Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan in New Delhi.

• The summit was organised by the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum.

• Tourism was highlighted as a bridge between cultures and a driver of economic growth.

• It was described as a major tool of soft diplomacy and a key pillar of the India–US economic partnership.

• Modern travellers were noted to prefer authentic, sustainable and heritage-based experiences.

• Tourism was recognised as one of India’s largest employment-generating sectors.

• Emphasis was placed on promoting skills, entrepreneurship and women-led ventures in tourism.

• India’s Tourism Vision 2029 aims to create one world-class destination in every state.